Kyle Shaw avoids jail after six years of stalking Strictly judge Shirley Ballas

In a notable case of persistent harassment, Kyle Shaw, 37, was sentenced to a 20-month suspended prison term for stalking Shirley Ballas, the judge of the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing, over a period of six years. The legal proceedings culminated on February 2025, when Shaw, who resided in Birkenhead, at Liverpool Crown Court, pleaded guilty to stalking Ballas, which caused her significant distress and harm. His stalking actions spanned from August 31, 2017, to November 29, 2023, and included a series of unwanted communications involving threats directed toward Ballas, her family, and friends. Additionally, Shaw accused Ballas of being responsible for the tragic death of her brother, David Rich, who committed suicide in 2003. This false accusation deeply affected Ballas’ mental state, causing her sleepless nights and reluctance to engage socially with colleagues. The case became more alarming due to Shaw's deluded belief that he was related to Ballas, stemming from claims made by his mother during his teenage years that her late brother was his father. There was limited evidence to either affirm or deny this claim, but it played a significant role in his stalking behavior. Shaw's troubling actions included contacting Ballas’ elderly mother, Audrey Rich, in a supermarket, insisting that she was his grandmother, which led Ballas to relocate her mother for safety. Furthermore, Shaw created social media profiles in the name of Ballas' deceased brother to upset her further. The threats escalated to levels of intimidation, with Shaw allegedly posting messages online that included her home address along with menacing comments. After his arrest, Shaw was also found in possession of cannabis, and faced additional charges as part of the court proceedings. At the hearing, Shaw displayed emotional turmoil as his sentence was handed down, further emphasizing the psychological effects of his actions. The judge ultimately decided on a lifetime restraining order, prohibiting Shaw from contacting Ballas, her family, and former partner, underlining the seriousness of the stalking offense and aiming to protect the victims from future harassment. Shaw's defense claimed that his struggles with mental health issues contributed to his actions. He acknowledged the harm caused and expressed intent not to contact Ballas or her family in the future. The court ordered him to complete a drug rehabilitation program and community service to assist in his recovery. This case highlights the severe repercussions of stalking and the judicial system's measures to combat such criminal behaviors while providing an eye into the psychological impact on victims of harassment.